Device for holding photographic prints while developing or fixing



Dec. 26, 1950 45 Emu m m.

B. D. EISNER DEVICE FOR HOLDING PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS WHILE DEVELOPING ORFIXING Filed March 9, 1949 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 DEVICE FOR HOLDINGPHOTQGRAPHIC PRINTS WHILE DEVELOPIN G R FIXING Burton D. Eisner,Chicago, IlL, assignor to Samuel G. Rautbord, Chicago, 111., doingbusiness as American Photocopy Equipment (10., Not 1110.,

a limited partnership Application March 9, 1949, Serial No. 80,524

Claims. (01. 95-1(i0) The present invention relates to devices forholding photographic prints while developing or fixing, and isparticularly concerned with an improved print holder for the verticalimmersion of photographic prints into a tank which is to receive theprints in vertical position.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedprint holding device which is easily opened and closed by means of onehand so that the other hand may be used for placing the print in theholder, as distinguished from the devices of the prior art, many ofwhich have a plurality of separate securing devices for holding thecorners of the print.

Another object is the provision of an improved print holder which isadapted to hold the print in substantially flat condition withoutpreventing the access of developer or fixer solution to any part of theprint, except perhaps the point contacts by means of which it isclamped.

Another object is the provision of suitable guides for hOldiIlg aphotographic print in a flat condition, but which, nevertheless, permitthe access of the developing and fixing solutions to all parts of aprint.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved printholders which are simple, capable of economical construction, efficient,and which may be manufactured s0 cheaply that it is placed within themeans of a vast number of purchasers; and a multiplicity of such clipsmay be used with one clip for each print.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying thisspecification:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a photographic solutiontank, shown in connection with a print holder and a print, the printholder embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the print holder, taken on the planeof the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a full size fragmentary elevational view of the springactuated supporting members which clamp the print in the holder;

Fig. 4 is a full size fragmentary elevational View of the supporting endof the print holder;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the present print holder, shown ona reduced scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the plane ofthe line 66 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The present print holders are intended to be used for the immersion ofphotographic prints in developing or fixing tanks which are deep enoughso that the prints may be immersed in vertical position. Such a tank isshown in perspective in Fig. l and indicated by the numeral in as havingtwo end walls A l and E? which are spaced from each other a distancethat is adequate so that the tank can receive a wide range of sizes ofprints. i3 indicates the solution in the tank, which is brought up tosuch a point that the entire print is immersed when held by the presentholder.

The print holder is indicated in its entirety by the numeral i i, and itpreferably comprises a pair of spring pressed actuating members #5, it,each of which fixedly supports a combined frame and clamping member. Thelarger of these frames, which is indicated at IT, is fixedly secured tothe actuating member [6; and the smaller of the frames, which isindicated at I8, is fixedly secured to the actuating member I5.

The larger frame ll preferably includes a 1ongitudinally extendingclamping member in the form of a sheet metal angle I9 (Fig. 6), which isalmost as long as the length of the tank If] so that the sheet metalangle It] may be received in the tank; but its ends come close to thewalls H, I2.

This angle member I9 has a horizontal flange 2s and a vertical flange 2!and these flanges, being at right angles to each other, makes theangular clamping member I!) substantially rigid. At each end the anglemember 09 carries a tank hook 22; and as these hooks are identical, onlyone of them need be described.

The tank hook 22 is shown in elevation in Fig. 4; and it comprises ahorizontal attaching portion 23, a vertical hanging portion 24, ahorizontal tank-engaging portion 25, and a depending end 25 for assuringits securement on the tank wall.

The tank hooks 22 may be made out of metal wire; and the entire deviceis preferably made out of stainless steel in the form of sheet metal andwire so that the print holder is ada ted to corrosion; and it will neverhave any rust or other foreign matter on its frames or clamping members,which might mar or stain the prints.

The stainless steel print holder is automatically maintained in a cleancondition, thereby assuring the absence of rust marks on the prints.

The horizontal portion 23 of the hook 22 may be secured to the verticalflange 2! of the clamping member l9 adjacent its lower edge by spotwelding at a plurality of points, indicated at 2?. The upwardly turnedvertical part 2 3 of hook 22 may be again spot welded to the clamp I9adjacent the end of the vertical flange 21, as, for

, example, at 28.

Securing the horizontal portion 23 adjacent the lower edge greatlyincreases the rigidity of securement because this enables the additionalsecurement along the vertical portion 2%. The length of the verticalportion 2 2 is preferably such that the clamping member it will bewholly immersed in the solution.

The width of the upper tank-engaging portion 25 is preferably such thatit extends across the edge of the tank, this permitting the dependingportion 26 of the hook to extend downwardly outside the tank.

7 The vertical flange 2! of the clamping member I9 is also secured tothe actuating member 16 by a plurality of spot welds, the actuator H3overlapping the vertical flange 2|. The actuators i and is may beidentical in construction; and each may consist of a fiat body portion29 which is adapted to be welded or otherwise secured to the twoclamping members 19 and 3D.

The actuating members i5 and it are substantially rectangular inelevation, as shown in Fig. 3; but each actuating member has between itsends 3i, 32 a pair of transversely extending ears 3 3, 35, 35. Thesetransverse ears 3336 serve as pivot flanges and are provided withregistering apertures for passing a stainless steel pivot pin 3?.

The pivot pin 37 may consist of a length of wire which is placed looselythrough the apertures in the pivot flanges 333i3, as the pivot pin doesnot need to be riveted over, since it is held in place by the spring 38,further to be described.

At the upper ends of the actuating members 55 and it these members arecurved outwardly, as indicated at 39, ii}. This forms curvedfinger-engaging surfaces at 39 and 4%) so that the fingers will not slipoff the actuating members l5 and The pivot pin 31 supports a helicalspring 33, which is initially tensioned and has its two ends ii, 52(Fig. 3) projecting radially in such manner that they may engage theunder side of the actuating members l5 and i6 adjacent the end where thefingers are applied. Thus the ends M, 42 of spring 38 tend to spread theactuating members It and it apart above the pivot pin 3?, and at thesame time the spring urges the actuating members l5 and it toward eachother below the pivot pin 3?.

The lower end of the actuating member I5 is preferably fixedly secured,as, for example, by spot welding, to the vertical flange 43 of theangular clamping member 36, as shown in Fig. 6. This clamping member 38preferably also has a horizontal flange 44 to give the necessaryrigidity; and in this case the actuating member i5 is welded to theinside of the angle.

The clamping member 38 is preferably formed with a plurality oftransversely extending prongs or points l5ll, the top of which may beseen in Fig. 2. Two of these prongs 45, ll are preferably formed one ateach end of the clamping member 39 by merely shaping the Vertical flange33 into a pointed triangular prong and bending it at right angles. Anynumber of such prongs may be provided; but I find that it is suflicientto provide one at each end and preferably one more prong, 46, midwaybetween the ends.

The prong 46 is preferably punched out of the vertical flange 43,leaving a hole, as indicated at 48 (Fig. 2) behind the actuating member:5. The apex of these prongs is preferably formed in a blunt point forengaging the print without making a hole, as shown in Fig. 6.

The clamping member is preferably made shorter than the clamping memberI9; and it preferably supports a depending wire frame 19. This dependingwire frame is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, having twovertical legs 5%, 5i, and a horizontal leg 52. The two vertical legs arepreferably provided at their upper ends with inwardly turned attachingportions 53, as shown in Fig. 2; and these attaching portions arewelded, soldered, or otherwise secured to the vertical flange 43 ofclamping member 30.

As the wire is preferably of less diameter than the length of the prongsil, there is a clearance between the upper ends 53 of the wire frame Q9and the other clamping member I9. The relatively fixed clamping member[9 also preferably supports a depending wire frame 53 of substantiallyrectangular shape.

This wire frame 53 includes the two vertical portions 5 5, 55 and ahorizontal portion 56. In this case the horizontal portion 56 ispreferably longer than the similar portion 52 of the other frame so thatthe legs 54, 55 of the fixed wire frame 53 are located outwardly of thewire frame 29. The legs 53, 5! of the movable wire frame 59 arepreferably longer than the legs 54, 55 of the fixed wire frame 53 sothat the legs 58, 5| engage the horizontal portion 56 of the fixed wireframe, as, for example, at the points 51 and 58.

In some embodiments of the invention. however, the frames l9, 53 may beso bent that there is no engagement between them, both being spaced fromthe paper. The upper ends of the legs 5d and 55 of the fixed wir frame53 have outwardly turned attaching portions 59, one of which is shown inFig. 4; and these attaching portions are welded to the vertical flange2| of the fixed clamping member l9 by a plurality of spot welds 60.

Thus each clamping member has a depending wire frame for guiding andholding the paper of the print, one of the print papers being indicatedat 5! (Fig. 1).

The mode of use and operation of the print holder is as follows: When aprint is to be placed in it, the print holder may be grasped in the lefthand with the thumb engaging at the point 39 and the other fingers ofthe hand, such as the forefinger, engaging at the surface 45.

The larger frame will then be lowermost, if the holder is held in thehorizontal position. By squeezing the portions 38 and it) together thespring 38 may be compressed in so far as its ends i, 62 are concerned,and the clamping members I9 and 3!] moved away from each other. Thiswill spread the wire frames 39 and 53 considerably more at their lowerportions 56 and 52, opening the wire frames to an angle of twentydegrees. The amount of this opening may be varied as desired.

The print may then be laid on the lower and larger wire-frame 53, withthe right hand, and may be slid toward the left until its edge engagesthe flange 2i! of the clamping member I9. The print should, of course,be located inside the ends of the clamping member i9, and may he slidlongitudinally as desired until it is preferably located midway betweenthe ends.

The actuating members l5 and it are then released sufliciently to permitthe spring 38 to urge the clamping members l9 and 36 together, whereuponthe ointed prongs 45-4.? will clamp the print against the flat surfaceof the flange 2|. lhe wire frames will approach each other, and willengage the opposite sides of the print in such manner as to hold theprint in substantially flat condition, especially at its lower edge,which is to be inserted in the solution.

The print may then be lifted by means of the print holder, using themembers 15, it as a handle; and it may be immersed with the print holderin the solution lit, the wire frames preventing the print from foldingup as it is dipped into the free surface of the solution. There is anatural tendency for the print to curl toward one side or the other asit is immersed; but the present frames E9, 53 present the print edgewiseso that it is easily and quickly immersed in the solution.

One print is preferably supported upon each print holder; and the printholder and the prints hang from the hooks 22 which engage the tops ofthe wall of the tank H].

In the routine of placing and removing prints from the tank, the prints,supported by print holders, may be placed in the tank at one end andleft until a certain number have accumulated; and if the timing of theroutine is constant, a print may be removed from the other end of theassembly immediately after or before placing a new print at the firstend.

In so doing the hooks 22 may be caused to slide along the top Wall ofthe tank as necessary, to make room for new prints. When the print is tobe removed from the tank, it is merely lifted 'by means of the printholder; and it may then be immersed in a fixer tank, from which it islater removed and placed in a washing tank.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved print holderwhich is adapted to facilitate the edgewise immersion of photographicprints into a top open tank. While the prints are engaged by the prong454i, this is at the extreme edge of the print; and the prongs produceonly very small spots which are und veloped, and which are notaccessible to the solutions.

The frames engage the prints, but only on one side; and thus thesolution has access to the paper from the other side, except at thepoints 51 and 58, where the engagement with the paper is so light thatthe solution still has access to the paper.

The print holders being made of stainless steel, there is no danger oftheir corrosion by the solutions used and no danger of producing rustspots on the prints. The print holders may be very economicallyconstructed, as they use only a small amount of sheet metal and a smallamount of wire; and they may be used for a long period of time, as thereis nothing about them which will wear out when they are properly used.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes Withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a print holder for photographic prints, the combination of a pairof metal plates having outwardly curved ends for engagement with thefingers, each of said plates having a pair of integral pivot flanges,the pivot flanges of the two plates overlapping and being provided withregistering apertures, a pintle passing through all of said apertures, aclamping and supporting membe secured to the lower end of one of saidplates, said clamping and supporting member comprising an angle memberhaving a horizontal flange and a vertical flange, and a second clampingmember secured to the lower end of the other plate, said second clampingmember also comprising an angle member having a horizontal and avertical flange, and having the'horizontal flange outwardly turned, aspring surrounding said pintle and having tangentially extending endportions engaging said plates above said pintle to urge said clampingmembers together, and a wire frame carried by each of said clampingmembers, said frames being fixedly secured to the clamping members todepend therefrom in substantially parallel planes when the clampingmembers engage each other, one of said frames being elongatedhorizontally beyond the other frame, and the other of said frames beingelongated vertically beyond the first-mentioned horizontally elongatedframe.

2. In a print holder for photographic prints, the combination of a pairof metal plates having outwardly curved ends for engagement with thefingers, each of said plates having a pair of integral pivot flanges,the pivot flanges of the two plates overlapping and being provided withregistering apertures, a pintle passing through all of said apertures, aclamping and supporting member secured to the lower end of one of saidplates, said clamping and supporting member comprising an angle memberhaving a horizontal flange and a vertical flange, and a second clampingmember secured to the lower end of the other plate, said second clampingmember also comprising an angle memberhaving a horizontal and a verticalflange, and having the horizontal flange outwardly turned, a springsurrounding said pintle and having tangentially extending end portionsengaging said plates above said pintle to urge said clamping memberstogether, and a wire frame carried by each of said clamping members,said frames being fixedly secured to the clamping members to dependtherefrom in substantially parallel planes when the clamping membersengage each other, one of said frames being elongated horizontallybeyond the other frame, and the other of said frames being elongatedvertically beyond the first-mentioned horizontally elongated frame, thesaid frames comprising three sided rectangular Wire members withinwardly turned ends welded to said clamping members respectively.

3. In a print holder for photographic prints, the combination of a pairof metal plates having outwardly curved ends for engagement with thefingers, each of said plates having a pair of integral pivot flanges,the pivot flanges of the two plates overlapping and being provided withregistering apertures, a pintle passing through all of said apertures, aclamping and supporting member secured to the lower end of one of saidplates, said clamping and supporting member comprising an angle memberhaving a horizontal flange and a vertical flange, and a second en agesI7 aclamping :member secured :to the lower end for" the other plate,said second clamping member also comprising an angle member having ahorizontal .and a vertical flange, and having .the horizontal :flangeoutwardly turned, a spring surrounding said pintle and havingtangentially extending endportions engaging said plates above said:pintle to urge said clamping members together, and a wire framecarried'by each of said clampingmembers, said frames being fixedlysecured to .the clamping members to depend therefrom fin substantiallyparallel planes when the clamping members engage each other, one of saidframes :being elongated horizontally beyond the other frame, andtheother of said frames being elongated vertically beyond thefirst-mentioned horizontally elongated frame, the said verticallyextending flange on the second mentioned clamping member being providedat its ends with in- 'wardly .turned pointed members for engaging andclamping the print, while permitting access to substantially all of theprint by the liquids in which the print is inserted.

l. In a print holder for photographic prints, the combination of a pairof metal plates having outwardly curved ends for engagement with thefingers, each of said plates having a pair of integral pivot flanges,the pivot flanges of the two plates overlapping and being provided withregistering apertures, a pintle passing through all of said apertures, aclamping and supporting member secured to the lower end of one of saidplates, said clamping and supporting member comprising an angle memberhaving a horizontal flange and a vertical flange, and a seccnd clampingmembersecured to the lower end of the other plate, said second clampingmember also comprising an angle member having .a horizontal and avertical flange, and having the horizontal flange outwardly turned, aspring surrounding said pintle and having tangentially extending endportions engaging said plates above said pintie to urge said clampingmembers together, and a wire frame carried by each of said clampingmembers, said frames being fixedly secured to the clamping members todepend therefrom in substantially parallel planes when the clamping"members engage each other, one of said frames being elongatedhorizontally beyond the other frame, and the other of said framesbeingelongated vertically beyond the first-mentioned horizontallyelongated frame, one .of said clamping members being elongated at eachend beyond the other, and provided at each end with an .up wardlyextending wire member having .a horizontal portion located to extendover the edge of a tank or the like for .hoidinga print in the tank withthe print and frames below the free surface of the liquid in the tank.

5. In a photographic print holder, the combination of a pair of pivotedmembers having separated actuating ends for the fingers, .a :pair ofelongated clamping ibars carried by the other ends of said pivotedmembers in position to engage each other, spring :means for urging saidbars together, a plurality of spaced teeth carried by one clampingmember, for holding a print against the other clamping member, upwardlyextending wire arms having .downwardiy open hoo.:s carried by the endsof .one bar, for supporting the holder in a bath ccntainer, and .adepending closed rectangular frame of round wire carried by each bar,the frames being of different dimensions so that the wires overlap eachother and engage only .at crossing intersections, the said dependingframes holdingthe prints in a plane condition, for immersion, andpermitting access to the prints by the bath at substantially all partsof the print from one side or the other.

BURTON D. EISNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,508,947 Allen Sept. 16, 19241,825,310 Engstrom Sept. '29, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date253,731 Germany Nov. 15, 1912 510,446 Great Britain Aug. 1, .1939

